Current:Home > MyTeam USA to face plenty of physicality as it seeks eighth consecutive gold-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Team USA to face plenty of physicality as it seeks eighth consecutive gold
View Date:2024-12-23 11:13:48
Editor's note: Keep up with all of the Olympics action here.
LILLE, France — Diana Taurasi saw it coming.
Two days before the U.S. women’s basketball team opened pool play against Japan, six-time Olympian Taurasi was talking with teammates Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson about the last time they all played together, in Tokyo, and how hard their first game of pool play was at that Olympics.
That was an 81-72 win over Nigeria. This time it was a 102-76 win over Japan that stayed close in the first half, mostly because of Japan’s nine 3s (the Japanese hit six in the second half, shooting 15-for-39 from long distance for the game).
Taurasi’s warning to everyone the other day: “Those last (seven titles) don’t promise you anything going forward.”
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
The Americans are going for a record eighth consecutive gold medal. It’s easy to assume that because they’ve dominated in the modern era — the U.S. has not lost an Olympic game since 1992 — it will be a cakewalk to the medal stand.
But that is not so, and Monday night proved it.
The international game is absurdly physical at the women’s senior level. Just ask Kah Copper, who got nailed going for a rebound in the first half and stayed on the floor for a few minutes. Or Sabrina Ionescu (11 points, five assists), who was taken out by a screen in the second half.
You thought the WNBA was rough and tumble? Welcome to the world stage.
Before the Games, Wilson told USA TODAY Sports that her biggest takeaway after making her Olympic debut in Tokyo was “No one likes us. We’re not going to get anything easy.”
Opponents go at the Americans, shoving, grabbing and scratching every single possession. They know they’re not going to out-talent the U.S. But they can try to out-tough them.
“As much as we can tell them about either the pace of our opponent and things they do (well) or the physicality that you’re permitted to play with, it’s another thing when you’re actually living through it,” said U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve. “With Japan, there’s physicality literally on every catch, every cut. Responding to that — shoot without fading, stop shying away from getting in there, go strong.”
Fortunately for the U.S., the two best players in the world play for America, and they don’t mind getting a little feisty in the paint when necessary.
Wilson said the first game of an international tournament can be “a wake-up call” in terms of remembering the physicality. But she knew it was coming, and reminded herself, “You get the first punch, don’t get punched first.”
On Monday Wilson (24 points, 13 rebounds) and Stewart (22 points, eight rebounds) asserted their dominance, using their rare combination of size, skill and athleticism to lead the Americans to a victory.
Wilson and Stewart know this is their team, and the pressure is on them to uphold the standard that veterans such as Taurasi have set for the last 20-plus years. They’ve embraced the leadership role. But they don’t just implore their teammates to get it together — they lead the charge. They play off each other well, too. If Stewart misses a shot, Wilson is likely to grab the rebound. When Wilson has the ball at the high post, she’s looking inside for Stewart.
"It’s amazing to play with A’ja,” Stewart said. “I think that her and I are continuing to create this two-woman tandem on the court, looking for each other (in) high-low, running the floor and really making it difficult for the other team.”
Wilson and Stewart are the two best two-way players in the world; along with their offensive takeover, they combined for seven blocks Monday. Defending one of them is hard enough. Both is a full-on nightmare. Add in 6-foot-9 Brittney Griner (11 points, nine rebounds), and it’s no wonder opponents try to body slam the Americans. How can you compete with this front line?
“I think our commitment to having the ball in the paint was special,” Reeve said. “Sometimes you might bore of that and start jacking 3s. But the 64 points in the paint tonight, we were pleased with that.”
It might not have been pretty for 40 minutes, but it was the first step toward another gold medal. It won’t get any less physical from here, either. But the Americans will be ready for it.
“It’s interesting,” Reeve said. “It’s hard to get anything done — cuts or movement. But we’ve gotta figure it out, because that’s what they’re gonna call.”
She paused, and smiled.
“Or not call.”
Email Lindsay Schnell at [email protected] and follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (23)
Related
- Georgia's humbling loss to Mississippi leads college football winners and losers for Week 11
- Total GivingTuesday donations were flat this year, but 10% fewer people participated in the day
- Electric vehicle batteries may have a new source material – used tires
- Why Jamie Lynn Spears Abruptly Quit I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
- This is Your Sign To Share this Luxury Gift Guide With Your Partner *Hint* *Hint
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly higher ahead of US price update, OPEC+ meeting
- Bachelor Nation's Tyler Cameron Earns a Rose for Gift Giving With These Holiday Picks
- Kim’s sister rejects US offer of dialogue with North Korea and vows more satellite launches
- Bears fire offensive coordinator Shane Waldron amid stretch of 23 drives without a TD
- Proof Travis Kelce's Mom Donna Kelce Is Saying Yes Instead of No to Taylor Swift
Ranking
- The Bachelorette's Desiree Hartsock Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Siegfried
- What works for treating the common cold? Many doctors say 'not much'
- Oklahoma prepares to execute man for 2001 double slaying despite self-defense claim
- Police officers in Maryland face lawsuit after they shoot dog who was later euthanized
- Amazon Black Friday 2024 sales event will start Nov. 21: See some of the deals
- Officer and suspect killed in a shootout after a traffic stop in southwest Colorado
- Attorney says Young Thug stands for 'Truly Humble Under God' in Day 2 of RICO trial
- Venezuela’s planned vote over territory dispute leaves Guyana residents on edge
Recommendation
-
South Carolina lab recaptures 5 more escaped monkeys but 13 are still loose
-
The Masked Singer: Boy Band Heartthrob of Your 2000s Dreams Revealed at S'more
-
Venezuela’s planned vote over territory dispute leaves Guyana residents on edge
-
U.S. life expectancy rose in 2022 by more than a year, but remains below pre-pandemic levels
-
Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year
-
Peaches, plums and nectarines recalled over listeria risk sold at major retailers: FDA
-
What works for treating the common cold? Many doctors say 'not much'
-
EuroMillions lottery winner: I had to cut off 'greedy' family after $187 million jackpot